One calm and quiet day, when the clouds were as white as always and Rainbowdash was just relaxing while taking a midday stroll across the skies, and the ponies of Ponyville were happily walking around the town, smiling and talking to one another. The wind that day blew slightly faster then usually, but other then that it was a completely normal and average day in Ponyville when a new pony arrived in town which no pony had seen before. Twilight was also taking a walk that day with Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy and happened to run across the new pony. The new pony was wearing unusual clothes, some sort of white robes and a hood, a few ponies even confused him with Zecora from a distance. Pinkie was the first one to notice the new pony.
Pinkie: OOH! I haven't seen you before, so you must be new, coz i know everypony in this town and i don't know you. OOh! You know what this calls for? A party!
Pinkie ran off to prepare a welcoming party for the newcomer.
Twilight: Don't mind her, she's always like that. You should have seen her the first day she saw me in town, she didn't even say a thing and ran off *Twilight giggles*
So what brings you to this town of ours? You don't look like you're from one of the nearest towns as well.
Rarity: Oh definitely. Just look at those rags he's wearing. I'm guessing you're not from a very wealthy family. OO! I got the perfect idea! What do you say if I'd make you a whole new outfit..Ahem, just consider it as a welcoming gift, i am the most generous pony in town you know. So what do you say we get you out of these rags and get you some real clothes, Hmmph?
Rarity starts touching the new ponies clothes and slowly tries to pull him towards her side, but the pony angrily shoves her away and starts angrily speaking.
New pony: I love my clothes just the way they are thank you! They are a family relic, and i don't need your silly glamour clothes! You can keep those to yourself!
The ponies startled a bit and slightly back off from the new pony. The pony starts speaking to himself in his mind : calm yourself down Altair. What would Al Mualim say if he found out you failed the mission before it even started. The pony takes a deep breath, and starts speaking calmly.
Altair: I apologize for my behavior. I mean you no harm. It's this long trip I've been making to get here. You can't imagine what i went through to get here. My name is Altair and I'm from a land far to the east from here called Fillysalem(please forgive me, i know that name might make a few of you want to stab your eyes out...).
Twilight: I knew you weren't from around here. I've personally never heard of that place before. So why have you come here? Judging by your clothes I'd say you're some kind of monk.
Rarity: (quietly to herself) Or a homeless brute.
Altair: No i am not a monk, as i already said these clothes are a family relic, all of my brothers wear them with pride. It makes us who we are.
Twilight: Which is?
Altair started to panic a bit, but did not show it, he knew he couldn't reveal his identity to the townsfolk. That would make his mission here impossible, but it was also too late to say that he was a monk. So he came up with an idea to call him an assassin as they call them in the desert.
Altair: Me and my brothers are a part of a clan called "The hashishin".
Applejack: Hasash.. Hashen..hashu...what now?
Altair calmed down when he realized that no one had come near to even hearing the word "hashishin"
Altair: We are a sacred organisation that protects the sacred traditions, and goes up against those who break them, we bring down the tyrant leaders who enslave their own people, we fight those who desire power in this world. We make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Twilight: Power? So why are you here then? There aren't any tyrants or power hungry maniacs in this town.
Altair to himself: We shall see about that, little pony.
Altair: I know, this wasn't my true destination, this is just one of the many towns I've visited along the road to find a place to spend the night. Otherwise i would starve to death on my way. I hope i won't be a burden to your town.
Fluttershy: Of course not. Why would you say such a thing? Our town is always looking forward to newcomers.
Twilight: Yea, and besides, you look like someone who's seen a lot, many ponies here would like to hear about your adventures.
Altair: My story isn't something meant for the ears of everypony i meet on the way. As i already said, i'm from a sacred organisation, and my secrets are known only to my brothers.
Twilight: Oh but there must be something you could tell us. Surely not everything you do is a secret to the community. We don't want to know your secrets, we just want to hear what's it like there on the far east, and what it is like to be a hashushin.
Altair: Hashishin!
Twilight: Right, sorry.
Altair: I'm sorry, I'm just too tired right now to start telling stories. Is there any place here where i could spend the night?
Applejack: You could spend the night in my old treehouse. I'll just warn the girls that we'll be having guests and that they shouldn't plan a meeting this night.
Altair: Your generosity knows no bounds. Thank you!
Applejack: Here, let me show you the way.
Twilight: So this is it? you'll just spend the night here and walk off in the morning without anypony even knowing you were here? Pinkie will be fairly disappointed finding out that she threw a party for no pony.
Altair: I never said I'd be here just one day. Perhaps there is more to this town then i thought, but you can keep the parties to yourself. i'm not really into candy and balloons.
Twilight: Wonderful! Maybe we'll get to know more about you after all.
Altair went with Applejack and the rest of the ponies parted ways soon after. It was getting dark anyways, and Altair wasn't the only pony who was tired. That night Twilight did a run through her books in hopes of finding something about the so called hashishin. She seemed very keen on finding out more about the newcomer. Twilight started with the religious section and ended with something close to holy wars, but just couldn't find the right book. Soon afterwards she gave up and simply went to sleep.
***
Meanwhile Applejack escorted Altair to her treehouse, when they got there, the Cutiemark crusaders were holding a meeting. Applejack walked in and talked to the girls.
Applejack: Hello girls. I hope you won't mind if a visitor stays here to night.
Altair walked in.
Crusaders: WOAH!
Altair: I hear you call yourselves crusaders. I doubt you do crusading the same way i do.
The crusaders gazed at the visitor for a while and Applejack decided that this would be a good moment for her to take her leave.
Applejack: Well, i guess I'll just leave you here to get to know each others better. night!
Applebloom: Look at his hood!
Sweetiebelle : look at his shoes!
Scootaloo: forget the shoes! Look at that awesome bracelet he's got around his wrist!
Crusaders: Woah!
Scootaloo: Where did you get that? What does it do?
Altair: What, this? This is just an old family relic. Not much there is to know about this old thing. he he.
Applebloom: Where are you from? Are you a real crusader?
Altair: In some way, yes.
Crusaders: Woah!
Altair and the crusaders spent some while talking about his adventures. Eventually the fillies got tired and decided to leave Altair alone.
Applebloom: Wow! that was some awesome story Altair. Can we talk to you again tomorrow?
Altair: Perhaps.
Crusaders: Awesome!
Scootaloo: See ya tommorrow Altair.
Applebloom: Yea! see ya tommorrow.°
Altair called Applebloom shortly before she left the treehouse.
Applebloom: Yes Altair. Did you need something?
Altair: I was just wondering, could you please tell me just a little bit about your ruler in this town? Princess Celestia was her name i think.
Applebloom: Why would you wanna know about her?
Altair: I just want to know how she treats you here. Is she a good ruler?
Applebloom: Oh yes! She's the best!
Altair to himself: Damn! the situation is far worse then i thought. Even the fillies minds are poisoned by that tyrant.
Applebloom: *yawn* But i really don't know that much about Celestia. If you wanna know more about her, I'd suggest speaking to Twilight. She's her prized student and knows practically everything about her. As for me *yawn* I'm about to fall asleep on my feet. Goodnight Altair, i really gotta get some rest.
Altair: thank you Applebloom. Goodnight!
Soon Altair turned off the lights in the treehouse, but he was far from going to sleep. He had a job to do. He put on a black coat with a black hood and quietly jumped out the window. Like a shadow he moved across the roofs of Ponyville in a matter of second, scouting every area in the town for clues and opportunities.It wasn't long before he saw Twilight walking across the town. He waited for her to walk into an alley.
Altair to himself: You picked a bad time for a midnight walk, pony.
As Twilight walked into the alley she heard something behind her. She gasped and turned around and saw nothing.
Twilight: Phew, just my imagination playing tricks on me.
Altair: Are you sure about that pony?
Twilight: wha..she didn't even get to turn around as Altair grabbed her by the throat and held her up against the wall. His face was pitch black so Twilight didn't recognize him.
Twilight: Who are you? What do you want from me?
Altair: My name and business here is of no concern to you
Altair put his hoof close to her throat and revealed his hidden blade, luckily Twilight didn't notice his wrist earlier that day.
Altair: And if you want to live, you'll answer my questions.
Twilight tried to scream, but Altair grabbed her neck even harder when realizing what she was about to do.
Altair: I wouldn't do that if i were you.
Twilight: Please! Don't hurt me! What do you want?
Altair: I'm the one asking the questions here, so shut up and answer them! What is the role of your leader here? what is her purpose here?
Twilight: Celestia? why do you want to know about her?
Altair: Answer me if you want to live!
Twilight: She's the supreme ruler of Equestria. Her kindness and generosity knows no bounds, she loves everypony in this town.
Altair: Lies! All lies! She is poisoning your minds and slowly turning you into her slaves.
Twilight: Are you crazy? Celestia would never...
Altair grabbed her throat even harder.
Altair: Stay silent! I'm not done questioning you. I have one more question : when is the nearest time she'll be arriving in Ponyville.
Twilight: There's an annual ball this thursday, in honor of the 25th year since, the mayor of Ponyville was elected. Wait, what do you..
Altair: Silence! You have answered wisely young pony.
Twilight: So will you please let me go now?
Altair: Let you go? Hah! so you can tell everypony that there's a crazy maniac loose in the streets of Ponyville? I dont think so.
Twilight: What? No! i promise i won't tell anyone! Please, let me go, i told you all i know. HE...
Altair: I told you not to do that. I'm sorry but etting you live is a risk i can't take.
Altair pulled his hoof towards himself, readying his blade to pierce the ponys sharply and quick making it as painless as possible for the pony.
Altair: Don't worry, it will soon all be over.
Twilights eyes were wide open, filled with fear, she started crying, she saw Rainbowdashes tail hanging from one of the clouds above but couldn't do a thing about it. Altair was squeezing her neck so hard, she couldn't make a single sound.
She couldn't understand, why was this happening, why her, what has she done to deserve this. There was just one thing that sprung to her mind. She took her final thoughts to regret that one thing : I'm sorry Celestia..i betrayed you. Altair pushed his hoof towards Twilights neck with the blade drawn. Just a few seconds before his blade pierced Twilights neck something flew by their eyes, so fast none of them could decipher what it was, but whatever it was it stopped Altairs hoof, nailing it to the wall, yet leaving it uninjured. From the sudden shock Altair released Twilights neck and she fell down and didn't hesitate to run.
Altair: What the...?
Twilight: AAAHHH! HELP! MURDERER!
Twilight ran off faster then any pony had ever runned before, Altair tried to grab her tail but didn't make it in time.
Altair: That bitch!
Altair tried to move his hoof but couldn't
Altair: Alright! whose the wise guy who decided to play hero in the middle of the night...
The thing that nailed Altairs hand to the wall suddenly drew his attention. It was a cross shaped dagger. Altair seemed to recognize the symbol on it's edge.
Altair: It can't be!
Altair heard houses and windows opening, ponies waking up from Twilights shouting. He knew he couldn't waste time and that his cover was blown anyways. So he pulled out a sword from his belt and used it to carve a a hole in the wall, releasing his hoof from the daggers hold. Altair grabbed the dagger along with the chunk of wood it tore off from the wall, quickly climbed on to the nearest roof and made off. Some ponies noticed Altair jumping from roof to roof from the windows, and started shouting : There he is! After him!But Altair was gone before most of the ponies even realized what the fuss was about. He returned to the treehouse and quickly changed his clothes back to the white robes, and went to bed without even turning the lights on.
Twilights shouting drew the attention of every nearby pony, including Applejack and Rainbowdash.
Applejack: Twilight! What's wrong? Are you alright.
Rainbowdash: Yea! what's all the commotion about?
Every pony around drew their attention to Twilight.
Twilight: Someone tried to murder me!
Applejack and Rainbowdash: Murder?!
Everypony around started worrying and talking loudly to each other.
Applejack: Who was it?
Twilight: I...I don't know!
Rainbowdash: What do you mean you don't know? Are you blind?
Twilight: Ha! you're one to talk, you were right above my head when it all happened!
Applejack: Calm down you two. The least we need now is you two arguing. Now what's this all about Twilight?
Twilight: He was wearing a black cape, i couldn't see a single part of his face.
Rainbowdash: Oh. That explains why you don't know who attacked you. Wait! Black cape you say?
Twilight: Yes! Why?
Rainbowdash: I saw someone with a black cape leaping around the rooftops right after you started shouting.
Twilight: Where is he now?
Rainbowdash: He went to Applejacks treehouse.
Applejack: What? Why didn't you stop him? Or at least say this earlier?
Rainbowdash: Well i was going to, but i wanted to hear what Twilight has to say.
Applejack: I let Altair stay at my treehouse tonight!
Rainbowdash: Who?
Applejack: We have to get there now!
The girls made their way to the treehouse as fast as they could and stormed in. Altair knew this would happened, so he hid the black cape and pretended to be shocked from the unexpected visit, and also yawned every few minutes.
Applejack and Twilight: Altair!
Altair: AAHH! Oh, Phew! It's just you. You nearly gave me a heart attack. What has happened? Why did you wake me?
Rainbowdash: Alright you...white hooded lunatic! Where is he?
Altair: Where's who? Please, i don't understand.
Twilight: Calm down Rainbowdash. He's just a guest, and really tired too. Lay off him.
Rainbowdash: But i saw that black caped ninja jump in here. He must have seen something. He's hiding something, i just know it.
Applejack: He was sound asleep. He couldn't have heard or seen anything. I mean, that pony jumped across roofs, right? and no one heard a thing, he must have been a skilled ninja or thief, or something.
Altair: What happened? Was somepony robbed?
Twilight: Worse! Somepony tried to kill me!
Altair: What? No! That's terrible! Why would he want to kill you?
Twilight: I don't know, he asked me some questions about the princess, and i told him what i know. Then he said he couldn't let me go because he feared i would tell the princess about his plans...Oh no! The princess! He'll want to murder her!
Applejack and Dash: What!?
Twilight: He was crazy! He thinks Celestia is some kind of evil tyrant and is terrorizing Ponyville. And now thanks to me he knows when she'll be in Ponyville next. Oh no! This is all my fault! *Twilight starts crying*
Applejack: Calm down Twilight. We need to warn Celestia before she arrives in Ponyville and also warn the town that there's a murderer on the loose.
Twilight: Right. We need to warn Celestia! But we can't do that now, in the middle of the night, we'll have to wait until morning.
Applejack: You should come stay at my place this night Twilight. By what you said i assume that murderer will be looking for you, and i wouldn't advise you to go alone anywhere from now on.
Twilight: thank you Applejack.
Altair: Wait, hold on! You said he couldn't let you live after you told him everything. What happened then? How did you escape?
Twilight: ..I don't know, i mean i don't remember...Wait! Yes! Something stopped his hoof, something very fast, it struck him and he let me go. I didn't have time to look back what it was, i ran as fast as i could.
Applejack: Sound to me like you were very lucky.
Altair: Sounds to me like somepony is aiding you.
Twilight: What do you mean?
Altair: Something so fast could have only been something thrown by somepony. somepony skilled, and somepony who was possibly hunting the murderer. We need to find out who they were, both the murderer and the one who saved you. He could prove a worthy ally.
Rainbowdash: I'll go look if i see anything suspicious. Be careful you guys.
Rainbowdash launches out the window in high speed and flies towards Ponyville.
Altair: *yawn* I would love to help, but.
Twilight: We understand. Lets go Applejack, lets let Altair get some rest.
Altair: Thank you. I'll see you in the morning, seems like i won't be leaving this place so soon after all. There is evil to be confronted here. You two stay safe, i want to see you battle ready in the morning, we have a long day a head of us tommorrow.
Applejack: i don't doubt that. Goodnight Altair.
Applejack and Twilight turned off the light and walked out of the treehouse towards Applejacks home, while looking around every few seconds.
Applejack: Gotta keep an eye out for that ninja guy. Well I'll be, a new guest and a murderer in the town on the same day. Do you think those two might be related somehow?
Twilight: i got no idea. But I'm still glad Altair is here, he could prove useful in finding and confronting the murderer. He seems like someone who's seen a lot, I mean did you even see his expression? He didn't even look that surprised.
Applejack: Yea! It's almost as if he wanted this to happen so he could do his job, or what's more, maybe he even knew about it..AH! What if he was the one who aided you back there? what if he's just keeping his heroic deeds in secret? He might be the new mare-do-well of the town.
Twilight: You're right! In fact, now that you've mentioned it, i'm almost sure it was Altair. He seemed like such a nice man, it must have been him! I can't wait to see his expression when i call him "my hero" in the morning!
Twilight and Applejack spent some time talking until they finally got to Applejacks home.
Applejack: You should stay in my room with me this night, I'll give you a sleeping bag. There's no safer place to stay for the night. Ain't no one getting into Sweet Apple Acres uninvited. I'll even ask Big Mac to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior this night.
Twilight: Thank you applejack. you're a true friend.
Applejack: don't mention it, any other pony would have done the same for you in my shoes.
Everything happened as planned. Applejack warned Big Mac to keep an eye out and the two girls went to sleep in one room. Rainbowdash was done searching the town for anything suspicious and went to sleep on the nearest cloud. Every pony went back to sleep as if nothing had happened. but one pony was still awake. Altair spent some time thinking on what to do next. Going after Twilight might be a risk, and he doesn't even know where exactly they went anyways. The princess will be arriving in town tommorrow, and he needed to make sure that she doesn't get warned about his intentions. but those were the least of his worries. What really worried him was the dagger that stopped his hoof. He knew that only one pony possesses such a dagger, but it couldn't have been him. Would he really come this far just to make sure he doesn't fulfil his intentions? Altair only managed to fall asleep after convincing himself that someone had murdered the previous owner of the dagger and took it from him or that he simply lost it and someone else found it. After sorting that out in his mind Altair quickly fell asleep.
***
The night past quietly. The following morning, the first one to wake up was Applejack, and the first thing she did was check on Twilight.
Applejack: Mmhh, i haven't slept that well in ages, how about you Twilight?...Twilight?
Applejack looked at Twilights sleeping bag. It was empty. Applejack shouted out Twilights name in fears of the worst.
Appljack: Twilight!
Twilight: I'm here Applejack. *Twilight said from over the window*.
Applejack: Huh? Phew! Don't do that! You scared me pretty badly!
Twilight: I'm sorry Applejack, I'm just watching the sun rise.
Applejack: When does Celestia arrive in town?
Twilight: When the sun rises to it's full potential.
Applejack: The we don't have much time, come, we need to warn her as soon as possible.
Twilight: Right, lets go.
So the girls went off to find Celestia. On their way to the princess, they saw Rainbowdash landing heavily right in front of them, stopping them for a moment.
Twilight: Rainbowdash? What are you doing here?
Rainbowdash: You might wanna see this. Follow me.
So they did. Rainbowdash led them to the town square where there was a large crowd of ponies gathered around shouting at something. The ponies pushed through to see what the fuss was about. The ponies were shouting words like "murderer", "imposter" and "tyrant", at a pony tied up to a chair in the middle of the pony crowd.
Twilight: What's going on?
After a short while, they saw Applebloom walking up to them.
Twilight: Applebloom?
Applebloom: Twilight! I'm so glad you're alright. Rainbowdash told me everything that happened last night. We caught the one who tried to murder you. It was one of those power hungry templars Altair told me and the girls about, i recognized him by the symbol on his robe. He thought he could just walk into town pretending like a newcomer, but i realized who he was the second i saw him.
Templar: This is a mistake! I am telling you, you've got the wrong man!
Twilight: Well, well, well. look who we got here. Weren't expecting your brother to be in town were you?
Templar: On the contrary, why do you think i came here? I came here to stop him from murdering your princess.
Twilight: Who? Altair? Hah, you don't really think we would believe you, do you? And who might you actually be?
Templar: I am the one who stopped Altair from murdering you.
Twilight: Lies! It was Altair who stopped you! And the fact that you know what happened, proves that it was you. Altair is a good man, unlike you power hungry templars.
Templar: I doubt you know altair that well. I don't think you even know his true identity. Who do you think he is? Battling us templars.
Twilight: He's a hashishin. A warrior from a sacred organisation made for stopping the likes of you.
Twmplar: Hah! And what do you think a hashishin is, huh?
Twilight: I don't really know, the name wasn't it any of my books. But i know that they are good people.
Templar: you didn't find him because you were looking in the wrong section, why don't you try looking up the word assassin?
Twilight: Assassin?
Templar: Indeed they are the sworn enemies of the templars. but it is not the templars you should fear. The assassins used to be a righteous organisation, but they fell appart. Altair was the last one of the assassins left, and he went mad. Now he's not just executing evil tyrants, but every single ruler he finds, for no reason, just saying that they are tyrants polluting every ponys minds! At first they gather as much information as possible about the ruler, and then they strike at the appropriate moment.
Applebloom: Altair did ask me something about Celestia. He asked if i knew when she'd be arriving in town the soonest.
Twilight: And what did you tell him?
Applebloom: I told him...
Twilight: What? What did you tell him?
Applebloom layed her head down in regret and shame.
Applebloom: I told him that he should ask you if he wants to know more...I'm sorry Twilight...I'm the only reason he actually attacked you.
Twilight: don't blame yourself Applebloom, you couldn't have known.
Templar: Now do you finally see the truth? This is what I've been trying to tell you.
Twilight: My god! This does add up. Wait a minute. How do you know all of this anyway?
Rainbowdash: Yea! You'd better explain yourself, now!
Templar: Because...i am his brother.
Twilight, Dash and Applebloom: Brother?!
Templar: Yes. You see, i was once an assassin too, just like Altair, we were hunting this sacred templar artifact with was said to possess unimaginable power. We couldn't let it fall into the hands of those power hungry templars. But it turned out that our supreme master had betrayed us, he possessed this artifact all along, and Altair was the one who stopped him, but after he did, our master spoke to him through this artifact, this so called sphere. He controlled Altair into doing things he didn't want to but he couldn't resist the power of the sphere. So he murdered the remainders of our organisation of assassins, and so he did, but when my turn came, he was strong enough to resist it for a short moment, but not for long. Just long enough to grant me a new hoof and run off. Do you see now the true power of the sphere? It can actually restore that which was gone...Look at my hoof, it's...perfect, better then it was before it got cut off.
Twilight: So what happened to Altair after he ran off?
Templar: He lost what was left of his sanity, he hears only the voice of the master speaking to him through the sphere now, he used to tell us to murder evil tyrants, now he tells him murder every single ruler ever to set foot on this world, and if you don't want your precious princess to be next, then you should listen to me.
Twilight: I don't know. How do we know we can trust you?
Templar: The true question is what might happen if you choose not to trust me, you already know the risks.
Rainbowdash: He's got a good point.
Twilight: Doesn't seem like we have much of a choice. So what are you suggesting, mister...
Templar: Malik. and a wise decision might i add. So listen up closely, i'll only say this once...
***
Later....By that time Altair was already wide awake, and ready to proceed with his plan to assassinate Celestia. So he prepared well, and left the treehouse to fulfil his destiny. He moved quietly across the town until he reached the town square and saw a bunch of ponies gathered around something. He climbed one of the buildings to see what it was. Ah! How wonderful, seems like the mission is nearly already done for him. His brother is all tied up already and the princess is right in front of him. Both of his targets within half a meter distance of one another. Now he needed only wait for the right moment.
Twilight was standing right besides Celestia.
Twilight quietly to Malik: Are you sure this is going to work?
Malik: Yes! I know Altair better then anyone else, he will strike soon, he might already be here.
Twilight: Right.
Malik: Alright then, begin. Just make sure you speak loudly your majesty.
Celestia: Khe khem. Fellow ponies, hear me this day. For years here i've been keeping the peace here, and nothing has ruined it so far, but now, at this day which was supposed to be a cheerful event, This murderer arrives to terrorize our town!
Surrounding ponies: Yea!
Celestia: Never before, has Ponyville suffered such a fate.
Malik: Your majesty please, if you could just let me...
Celestia: Silence! I am not speaking to you. *Celestia turn her back on Malik and looks upon the surrounding ponies* I am speaking to you my dear ponies. You know i'm a kind and merciful ruler...what would you do in my place...
The crowd started talking loudly to each other, discussing what is to become of the murderer. Altair knew this was his moment to strike, Celestia is looking in the other direction and all the surrounding ponies are too preoccupied to notice anything. So Altair jumped from the rooftop with his blade drawn, ready to pierce Celestias throat. He was so obsessed with murdering Celestia that he didn't even notice that Malik had spotted him minutes ago. As soon as Malik saw Altair jump he let out a loud shout.
Malik: Now!
Suddenly Celestia moved away sharply, and a huge net flew out of the nearest buildings window, landing right on top of Altair.
Altair: Ah! What trickery is this? *Altair tried to struggle but to no avail*.
Malik: I see you haven't changed your ways over these years Altair. You were never one for learning from your mistakes.
Celestia: Cease him!
A couple of guards appeared from Celestias back and grabbed Altair and tied him to a chair, and put him close to his brother who was still tied to a chair.
Altair: What is the meaning of this? What do you think your doing? He's the murderer not me! I demand you let me go!
Celestia: You will be dealt with in time, as for now i owe my life, and the gratitude of all of Ponyville to this young colt. In the name of all of Ponyville We thank you, great hero from the east.
Celestia bowed before Malik and so did the whole town. After a short while Celestia stood back up.
Celestia: Is there some way we can repay you?
Malik: I never thought you'd ask. Now that you've mentioned it, this chair is starting to get rather uncomfortable.
Celestia: *giggles* Oh of course. Pardon me. Guards! Release this man!
Altair: Not so fast!
While Celestia was busy kneeling before Malik, Altair easily cut the ropes with his hidden blade and escaped, and now he grabbed Celestia from behind, while holding his blade over her throat. The guards rushed immediately to the aid of the princess.
Altair: Back! Back i say! Unless you want me to end the life of your ruler you would do wise to stay back.
The guards halted instantly, fearing what might happen next, they stood where they were. Twilight ran to Celestias side.
twilight: Princess!
Altair: Back you! Didn't you hear me? or do you want to be the reason for your precious princesses death?
Twilight stopped.
twilight: No! Please! Let her go!
Altair: Hah! Why should i? I've come here for a purpose and i'm not leaving here until my job is done.
Everypony around stood in fear with their mouths opened, gazing at Altair helplessly, unable to do anything about the situation.
Altair: Hah! Well? will there be no pony brave enough to try and stop me. Can no one save their precious princess?
Rainbowdash listened to this madman for long enough and realized that it was her time to act.
Rainbowdash: I can!
Dash flew at full speed straight towards Altair, it happened so fast that no pony really saw what happened. Rainbowdash flew straight towards Altair and Altair raised his hoof towards Rainbowdash, and Rainbowdash seemed to just fly by. After a few seconds Rainbowdash froze in mid air, and Altair was still holding his one hoof up and holding Celestia with the other one. No pony understood what happened. The first thing the surrounding ponies noticed was that Altairs blade was all red. Every ponys eyes got filled with fear. Suddenly everyone turned to Rainbowdash. They saw her just flapping her wings, and floathing in mid air with her head hanged down over her body so that nopony could see any scars. Rainbwodash lifted her head up and revealed a large scar all across her body. Blood was dripping from her and there was already a puddle of blood beneath her. Every pony was so shocked that none of them could even say anything...they just gazed at Rainbowdash and waited what would happen next...Rainbowdash mourned loudly
Rainbowdash: Aaaahhhh....
After that Rainbowdash collapsed and fell on the ground heavily.
Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie: Rainbowdash!
The girls ran to Rainbowdash and dragged the uncounscious Rainbowdash off the field.
Altair: he, he he he he. Any other heroes?
Malik: Just one!
Malik had also managed to free himself from the ropes. Malik attacked Altair from the back, he struck Altairs head with his elbow as strong as he could. Altair nearly collapsed from the blow but managed to keep standing, however Celestia was now free.
Celestia: Guards! Cease him!
Malik: No!
The guards didn't move and every pony looked at Malik.
Malik: This is between me and my brother.
Altair: Ha, ha ha ha ha! After all that i've done, you're still letting me murder you? And i'm the one who doesn't learn from his mistakes? If you remember correctly brother, then i was the best of the best.
Malik: You might have been the best of the assassins, but i have learned much from the ways of the templars. Now i will show you what i've learned over these years.
Altair: Hah! You are a fool to think that you're the only one that has improved over the years.
Altair drew his hidden blade back into the bracelet, instead drawing out a much longer blade from the same wrist. The blade looked very fragile, but it was made from the hardest of metals, and masterfully crafted into the bracelet. Not even Al Mualim himself possessed such a fine weapon. It was both deadly and very easy to fight with and very light.
Altair: Now then brother. Lets not waste any more time. Draw your weapon!
Malik did fear Altairs new weapon, but he knew what he had to do. So Malik drew his sword. It was longer, and heavier then Altairs blade, but nowhere near as sharp or effective as his blade. Malik had to wield it with both hoofs. For a short moment Altair and Malik stared at each other, and so did the surrounding ponies. It wasn't long before Altair Let out a great shout and ran towards Malik and started attacking him.
Their blades struck one another, but Altair was faster, he managed to parry Maliks attack and injure him in the back, and jump away, leaving Malik with time to mourn and prepare for another attack. When Malik turned to Altair, he attacked again. Yet again Altair was faster, this time he injured him in his left hoof, and he repeated the same attack again injuring him in the leg. After the last attack Malik was barely still on his legs.
Altair: Oh come now brother, is this really all you've got? You can't stand up against one of my blades. lets see how you stand up against two.
Altair revealed another bracelet on his other arm which no one had noticed before, and from this bracelet he drew another blade, just like the first one. Altair attacked Malik again, this time he their blades didn't even strike one another, Malik was slowed by his injuries and all he managed to do was swing his blade towards Altair, and the swing was so predictable and slow that Altair simply evaded it, and struck Maliks ribs with his elbow. Malik collapsed to his knees, and mourned. Every pony around could only helplessly stare at what was happening and fear what would happen next. Malik saw the fear in their eyes, He knew that they were all counting on him, and he couldn't let them down. Malik slowly stood up and turned towards Altair. He was more afraid then ever before but yet showed such confidence in his eyes.
Malik decided to take the fight to Altair for once. He shouted out loudly and ran towards Altair with his sword lifted high above his head. He swung the sword with all his might pointing the sword towards Altairs head from the top. Altair lifted both his blades in time to counter his attack. Their blades struck, and Maliks sword was slowly pushing towards Altairs head. He was winning in this contest of might, but he left himself open to an attack from below. Altair took advantage of the moment and kicked Malik right in the stomach. Malik started backing up from the blow, and collapsed to his knees. Altair walked up and smacked his head upwards. Malik fell with his back on the ground and he dropped his sword, and it fell somewhere far behind him. Altair started slowly walking up to Malik, and all Malik could do was crawl back.
Altair: That's right. Crawl! Crawl like the templar worm that you are, traitor! Your time has come brother, i let you live once, now it's time to correct that mistake.
Altair switched his sword back to the hidden blade and jumped into the air towards Malik, ready to end his life. What he did not see was that the only reason Malik was backing up was because he wanted to reach his sword. And reach it he did, right on time. Just after Altair made the jump, Malik lifted up his sword and pointed it towards Altair. Altair jumped right on to his blade. It was his own life that he ended, not his brothers. With the last moments of his life Altair stared into Maliks eyes. Malik flipped himself and Altair over and pulled the sword from his chest, and held Altairs head in his hoof.
Malik: Well brother, now you finally know what all of your victims felt like, right before they passes away from you blade.
Altair: Malik...
Malik: Altair! Listen to me! If you're still my brother, there's still time to correct your mistakes. just tell me where the sphere is! What did you do with it? Where is it?
Altair: heh, right here brother.
Malik: What?!
Altair: Don't you see? There is no sphere. I am the sphere! I absorbed it's power...we were made one.
Malik: What nonsense is this? Do you speak the truth? Can this really be true brother?
Altair: *cough* Indeed it is my brother, by killing me you have also destroyed the sphere itself... Thank you for ending my torment Malik...It is all over now, You have won....peace and safety...brother....
With those words Altairs life passed away.
Malik: No my brother...we have won.
Malik picked up Altairs lifeless body in his hoofs, and started walking away from Ponyville, to the same direction he came from.
Malik: We all go back to the earth.
Evey pony stepped off the path Malik walked, and freed the way for him. Malik walked off with his brother in his hoofs.
***
Malik buried Altair not far from Ponyville, He used his sword for a cross to leave at his grave and hung Altairs bracelets on it's edges. He also made a tombstone for him that said "peace and safety wherever you might go, as long as you don't follow my footsteps".
After that Malik made Ponyville his new home, no pony had anything against him living there. Maliks templar days were over, he has seen enough adventures in his life, and all he wanted was to settle down. Celestia even granted him his own house in Ponyville, for his heroic deeds. Everything went on peacefully from then on. Malik still visited his brothers grave every now and then.
One day Malik was visiting his brothers grave yet again. He sat there quietly for quite a while. After a short while some pony slowly came..no, limped up to him. It was Rainbowdash. After the serious injury she got some days ago, Fluttershy helped her recover, even though she nearly fainted many times from the sight of blood, she overcame her fear because she knew that her friends life depended on it. Rainbowdash felt a lot better now, but still not fully healed. She had to use a crutch to move around for a while.
Rainbowdash: Huh. i can't believe that it was nearly me who got buried there.
Malik kept silent.
Rainbowdash: listen..I don't say this often, but i'm sorry.
Malik: Sorry? For what?
Rainbowdash: For not trusting you, for tying you up...for treating you as a murderer. I owe my life to you and so does the princess...thank you.
Malik: trust doesn't come easy in these times, you can't always trust every pony...someone is always bound to deceive you.
Rainbowdash: I hear that! But i don't think i'll be writting a letter to the princess about that.
Malik: Why not?
Rainbowdash: Because...because..Hmm, you know what? I think i'll just go ahead and write that. She should know, that not all lessons to learn can always be cheerful.
Malik: indeed! Perhaps, that is something about which the princess should be writting a letter to you about. He he.
Rainbowdash: Yea, it would be nice to get a reply from Celestia at least once.
Both ponies laughed And walked back to Ponyville. Malik helped Rainbowdash walk, and she didn't even refuse his help. That's something you don't see from Rainbowdash every day...perhaps this is the beginning of a whole new friendship...But that is a tale for another time.
The End
